Govt in talks with BIS for quality upgrade of helmets

With two-wheelers accounting for the largest share of vehicles on Indian roads as well as most road accident deaths, the government is in talks with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for upgrading the quality standards of helmets.
The government is looking at a distinctive BIS mark for helmets to be sold in the market.
"A distinct marked helmet for automobiles (two-wheelers) will help in reducing risk of accident deaths for two-wheeler drivers in a big way.
"Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is in talks with the BIS in this regard," the ministry's Joint Secretary Abhay Damle said.

He was speaking at a seminar on Motor Vehicle Act and road safety, organised by NGO CUTS International here.
As per a statement issued by CUTS International and road body IRF, Damle said about 34 per cent of all road deaths in 2014 were of riders/passengers of two-wheelers, while bicyclists accounted for 3 per cent and pedestrians 9 per cent.

He said at present most two-wheeler users and pillion riders use poor quality helmets, including construction and industrial helmets.
"Due to humid weather and faulty designs of helmets ,the government is trying to adopt designs and models of helmets that are comfortable for two-wheeler riders. All these years bikers and pillion riders have been largely blamed for not wearing helmet, which is one of the main reasons of high number of fatalities involving two-wheelers," he said.

Compliance to the rule mandating wearing seat-belts is higher compared to that for helmets, he said, adding, "Why are people reluctant to wear helmet? We need to design ones that are light to wear."
The official said the government has also made provisions in the Amended Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) to increase validity of renewal of driving licence for persons above 50 years to 10 years from present 5 years and for commercial drivers to 5 years from present 3 years
The much-awaited amended MVA, which has provisions of higher penalties and road safety features, has been delayed and is a matter of concern for a country like India, accounting for highest number of road accident deaths in the world, said K K Kapila of IRF.

Addressing the seminar, Additional Commissioner, Traffic, Delhi Police, S B S Tyagi said high-end cars being driven by young, educated but inexperienced drivers is becoming a major cause for road accidents in Delhi and NCR .
"Delhi Traffic Police has been asked to deal with them politely but firmly and challan them without any fear or interference from any quarter. At present, about 25,000 vehicles are challaned daily in Delhi for various violations but it is surprising not a single driving licence has been cancelled by Delhi Transport Department as yet in last so many years," said Tyagi.